Deal elusive on EU’s long-term budget

Last-ditch attempts to resolve differences between MEPs and member states on the EU’s long-term budget for 2014-20 had not produced results by the time European Voice went to press last night (19 June). An agreement by the end of the Irish presidency of the Council of Ministers remained in doubt.

Sources involved in the discussions said they are close to a deal, but are stuck on the last contentious issues in allowing flexibility between different budget headings.

The Irish presidency will continue talks today (20 June) if it sees a realistic possibility of a deal. If not, talks will be interrupted and negotiations will be resumed during the Lithuanian presidency, which begins on 1July.

Race against time

In principle, the desired timetable is that European affairs ministers would approve the deal on 25 June so that the European Council can aprove it on 27 June and the full Parliament in the first week of July.

The European Commission is required by the EU’s treaty to submit a budget for 2014 by 1 July. The draft budget will be on the agenda of European commissioners next Wednesday (26 June).